So I just got back from the Philadelphia Game Jam, a subset of the Philadelphia Game Exposition, a minor convention devoted to interactive entertainment. A few thoughts:

Congratulations to the TCNJ Yellow team, who took home the prize for "Most Loyal to the Theme." We were given a quote, and ran with it to create a game in forty-eight hours starting at noon this past Friday: "An age is not dark because there is no light in it, but because people refuse to see the light." What Yellow made is hard to do justice to in written form, but suffice it to stay that it was artistically fantastic, and if I get the chance I'll post the link to the file.

Well done to Blue and Red too, both of home made strong showings as well. Blue, it was a privelege to work with you these past two days.

Seeing how much was accomplished in two days, from scratch, gives me great hope for finishing Superduck Racing over the next six months. It'll get done, folks.

The only really major title that was on the show floor was Dante's Inferno, which looks like a love-it-or-hate-it proposition. Combat system had great flexibility and immersion from what I saw; but, like God of War before it, a lot of people are going to be turned off by the graphic aesthetic. The demo level playable at the show was based on the Circle of Hell reserved for those who lust, and quite everything was sexualized in some demented sort of way. The boss fight took place on a platform meant to symbolize the birthing process, while you fought a giant topless lady. No, seriously.

Halolz.com was there, distributing hacked Pokemon. I got a shiny Mudkip, which makes me very happy.

So, too, was the Philadelphia Union soccer team. I'm greatly anticipating their debut in April.

So, long story short, I highly recommend the Game Jam. It's a great contest, you really get to flex your creative muscle in creating something brilliant enough to succeed, but simple enough that you can get it done. It was a wonderful time, and I got to know my schoolmates a lot better in the process. Fun for all.